Press Releases
July 10, 2024
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is honoring the life of Senator James Inhofe, who retired from the U.S. Senate in January 2023.
“Senator Jim Inhofe was Oklahoma’s longest-serving senator, in the Senate more than 27 years, after he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for four terms. Before that he was Mayor of Tulsa, and a state legislator totaling some 56 years of public service, after time in the U.S. Army. I knew him already in the 1990s, as I worked for Congressman J.C. Watts, his colleague from the Oklahoma congressional delegation,” said Aumua Amata. “He came through American Samoa with a congressional delegation a few years ago, and I spoke to him there and after he came back to Washington, D.C. at the time.”
Issues:Congress
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July 10, 2024
Legislation Saves Self-Determination; Swain’s Island Seat
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives in a move requiring unanimous consent, on Monday adopted H.R. 6062, sponsored by Congresswoman Amata, which reaffirms American Samoa's right to self-determination, a principle of U.S. law and policy, also enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. The bill was previously passed by the House Natural Resources Committee by unanimous consent, affirming that the bill is non-controversial.
Issues:Natural Resources
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July 7, 2024
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata celebrated the Fourth of July at the Department of the Interior’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., with Secretary Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen Cantor. Within their administration roles, as delegated by the U.S. Congress and its House and Senate Natural Resources Committees, these two DOI leaders have the most federal influence over policies in the territories.
Issues:Interior
July 3, 2024
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata welcomed notice of $135,000 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the American Samoa Alliance Against Domestic and Sex Violence.
The grant is for health services in American Samoa through the program titled Rape Prevention and Education: Enhancing Capacity for Sexual Violence Prevention Across State and Territory Sexual Assault Coalitions.
Issues:Public Safety
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July 1, 2024
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement celebrating U.S. Independence Day:
“Have a happy Fourth of July, as we celebrate and enjoy the holiday with friends and family! On this date, the United States of America declared independence, and became a new nation. The Declaration of Independence stated powerful ideals of freedom that were exceptional at that time in history, and are still relevant today,” Amata said.
Issues:Culture
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June 28, 2024
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata welcomed the 2024 winner of the Malofie Congressional Art Competition, Talanoa Lagafuaina, to the U.S. Capitol this week for the opening of his artwork on display.
Issues:Education
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June 28, 2024
Busy Week of Votes and Hearings in Congress
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting a busy week of votes, including Committee of the Whole votes on the House floor, several hearings, a grant for American Samoa, and inclusion of her requested regional priorities for the Coast Guard in the 2025 appropriations legislation.
Issues:Foreign Affairs
June 27, 2024
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming a $1 million allocation for the Pago Pago International Airport terminal in upcoming major legislation, the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act for next year, which passed the Subcommittee on Thursday.
This a Community Project Funding included at Amata’s request to the Committee, following the request made in communication with Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga, which is the dual process required by the House of Representatives so that projects have the input or support of both the Member of Congress and the government of the state or territory.
Issues:Transportation
June 27, 2024
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata welcomes passage by the Committee on Natural Resources of a bill she cosponsored, the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, led by Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), who is the only professional forester in the U.S. Congress.
“The tragic wildfire devastation of beautiful Lahaina is fresh in our minds, the western United States has had many enormous blazes in dry weather, and American Samoa’s firefighters have responded in that time of need,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata.
Issues:Natural Resources
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June 25, 2024
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata visited some of the family of Taylor (Teila) Tuli Wily to pay her respects and pay tribute to his memory, and is sending condolences to all who knew and loved him.
Issues:Culture